Kathmandu, January 7:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today recommended the government to abolish the kamlari custom, saying that it is against humanity.

After deciding to abolish the custom, the constitutional rights body today wrote the government to implement the decision. The NHRC also said the custom was against children rights.

“There still exists a tradition of taking children under the age of 14 as kamlari on the day of Maghe Sankranti or Maghi. This is the violation of rights and dignity of children,” the NHRC said, adding, “The children are also subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of their owners.”

NHRC also said the custom needed to be abolished as it goes against humanity.

“The custom is against the humanity and the principle of human rights as per the Convention Against Child Rights, 1989, Minimum age Related ILO Convention, No 138 (1973) and against the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007,” a press release issued by NHRC secretary Bishal Khanal stated.

Saying that the kamlari custom is against the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1

999, the NHRC recommended the government to immediately abolish the custom and compensate and rehabilitate the rescued kamlaris.

It also recommended the government to launch awareness campaigns against the custom.